Rabbit fire expands, but more help may be coming

The Rabbit Foot fire on the Salmon-Challis National Forest grew by about 1,300 acres Wednesday to 5,645 acres overall. The lightning-caused fire is zero percent contained and spreading on the south flank, in the Cougar Lake area.

Temperatures have been rising as predicted and fire activity is expected to increase with them. Light winds could push the fire further to the south and airborne embers may create spot fires up to a quarter mile ahead of the fire. Weather conditions are predicted to worsen into the weekend.

Additional area closures may be announced later today.

362 personnel are assigned to the fire and more fire crews,equipment, and air resources could be coming in as activity winds down on other fires in the region. The current interagency management team will rotate off the fire soon. Its 14-day detail included the Grassy Ridge Fire last week. A new team will take over at 6 a.m. Monday.

Current firefighting resources include 9 20-person crews, 18 engines, 3 dozers, 8 water tends, and 4 helicopters.